Vehicle-wheel.



V. J. HULTQUIST,

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLIQATION FILED Nov.1e, 1911.

Patented Mar. l25, 1913.

V. J. HULTQUIST.

` VHIGLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16, 1911.

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Ill. 1

To all Besitlnown that I, VIcToR J. HULrQU1sT, u .cvitigengofthe UnitedStates, residing at Bellevue, inthe county of Allegheny and Stat*e;of'Fennsylvania-, have invented cerneWe nduse'ful Improvements in VeaPATENT orricn noseipeang" hiclegWheels, `ofwhich the following yis aSPiication My invention consists of an improvement `incushion wheels torautomobiles and other vehicles. 4 l d v It hasjfor its object .toprovide a strong simple construction employing between the central huband-the outer rim a tire, a compressible-.elastic intervening annularcushion vorcushion's.. -Also means forl mounting and supporting thevsame within the `wheel structure in such a manner as to provide for thetransmission of thefshocks of traveland their v d fiii'usion through theentire wheel, facilities. for assembling and taking the structure apart,for providing good bearing surfaces, means for temporarily connecting..the hub section ixedly with vthe outer wheel portion, and othervfeatures `of construction and detail as sha1-l be more fullyhereinafter described. f y

The advantages of a cushion wheel, in .addition tofthe vdispensing ofthe ordinary pneumatic tire, are generally recognized. In my improvementI' embody a' simple and efficient construction, composed ofv few parts,comprising a main inner or hub section, an outer tread or wheel sectionprovided with a solid tire, andan intervening annular cushionconstruction whichl will etfectually absorb.v the shocks and preventtheir transmission .'by. an almost @entire absorption thereof. I employ,.in combination with the hub section, `a cushion supporting memberconsisting of two outer plates, one of which is 'provided with anintegral'annular bearing ring-or lshelf for the annular cushion,

theA outer' wheel structure being slidably mounted within the outerportion of said plates beyond'A the supporting bearing for said cushion,means for. providing ample lubricationfor the working parts, etc.

In the drawingsv illustrating the inven- -.tion-Figure lis apartialfaceview ofthe wheel: constructed vin accordance withv my invention, partlybrokenaway. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section vthereof on the lineIISILof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away,of one of the annular cushions. Fig. 4 is a cross section '.Sipecicationof Spetters Patent. 3 Application: filed Novemberil 1911. Serial No.GGOBG.

vEnIcLE-WHEEE.-

l "therethrough, indicated by the brokenl line IV. IV.. F 1g. 5 is anenlarged detail view lllustrating a centrifugally operated oil cupl andits connection with the lubricating elefA ments. i tion', at rightangles to Fig. 5..

ratenteaMar. 2551913.:

Fig. 6 is a similarview,` in eleva- The Wheel struct-ure is mounted `onthe I yusual axle terminals 2 and is provided with a central hub section3,-rolleror ball bear,l

ings 4 of any suitable type being preferably intervened between saidparts. A cap 5 is screwed upon Athe outer portionof the hub Y and. iutis providedwith an inner lubricantretaining ring construction 6 of anysuitable 11, with their nuts. Said plate is provided at a suitabledistance outwardly from the center with an annular integralcushionbearing ring 12 which extends across the entire.

distance between plates 9 and 10, preferably having an' inwardly turnedflange I13 at its opposite side. vSaid flange and end of ring 12 abutagainst the inner face of ring 10, and

the plates and said ring are fixedly connected together by a series ofannularly arranged bolts 14. Said bolts are provided with terminal nuts15, preferably at the `side of plate 10, for easy-removal. The innerface of plate 10 isprovided with an inwardly extending ring 16 providinginner and outer shoulders or annular bearings for fianges 8 and 13respectively, whereby toy positively fix the position of these vpartsvwhen connected. f f The outerfmain wheel construction consists of theusual annular rim 'or telly. 1 7 having the tire or tread 18 of hardrubberor other suitable-material, secured to the tire in any suitablemanner, as by, clamps- 19. -The felly 17 is connected byspokes 20 witht-he -inner annular metal ring 21. ySaid ring isprovided :1t-one sidewith an integral side portion 22qhavinga iiange 23, and at the opposite*I sidey with a, similarlyshapedfref, movable side portion `22 having aflange 23.

Theinner widened kel'ids ofthe spokes are inserted between said side andflange portions, and t-he parts Vare securely connect-edv by bolts 24.As thus constructed, and' comy prised of the two parts, I provide anlinner` bearing ring for the outer annular face of the cushionstructure.A Said ring 21with its sides 22 and 22 extends inwardly beyondthe outer peripheral edges'of plates 9 and 10 and are embraced therebyand have Ia sliding engagement therewith. For the'purpose of providinglubrication forsaid parts,

-I insert at each side'of the ring structure and between' it and plates9 and 10 respectively, in dovetail recesses provided for'the A purpose,annular strips or bands 25, of felt vallel side lfaces for abuttingcontact against theinner faces of plates 9 and' 10 respectively. Whilethecross section of the inner hollow portion of 'cushion 26 may bey ofeithercircular or oval'form, I prefer the oval construction, as shown,for lthej'best utilization ofthe space and the' objects desired inpractice. 'Where it is intended that the`annularfcushion'26 shall beinflated, it is provided with an inner airtube 27, in which case'thecushion v26 is divided, as'at 28, foi' insert-ion and removal of theinner tube. Any'fsuitable connection 26 for appli# cation ofainpressu're may befemployed, of

well-lmowni construction extending out.-v

wardly through suitable openings' in ring 2 1, and provided with aterminal cap or closure 30,` The annular cushion26, which is a veryimportant element in the invention,

operates not only to absorb the various shocks, but init-he case 'of thereardriving wheels, it .actsfto transmit'the driving torsion'fronrthe'aXle to the outer wheel structure. To insure its successful'operation and resistance tothe torsional strains arising in use, .and'for' the purpose 'of transmitting them from the hub portion to'theouter wheelportiom the cushion 26 of solid rubber is provided around itsouter portion with a series of somewhat closely adjacent projecL tionsor ribs 31 and a similar-j series of ribs or projections 32 around itsinner portion. Said ribs arepreferably rounded, as shown, and of' amplesizel to give a 'good holding connection with the inner ring `l2 andouter ring 24,'each of said rings being provided withcorrespondin'gseries of socketsjjor :re-

y eating strip cesses 33,v 34,v respectively, into uwhich the said ribsproject and snugly seat. For'the purpose of reinforcing 'theseprojecting parts, I embed in the rubber cushion 26 reinforcing wires 35extending longitudinally around the cushion at suchl pointsacurved -tothe general curvature of the ribs, and e'X- tending for a short distanceat each side thereof by terminals 37 into the main body sectionl of thecushion. Each c'urved vsection 35- is connected with l,the terminalsections 37, 37, bysmall loops 38, 38, providing for ample resilience,and relative movement of the reinforcing members in action. Saidreinforcements are located somewhat closely adjacent along thev fulllength of each .rib as indicated in Fig. 4, and it will be `understoodthat any desired number of them maybe used and of the necessary4strength. It will also be understood that two or more' of .thecushioning rings 26 may be inserted sideby sideby making 'the hubstructure 'sutiiciently Wde to receive-thnm` for 'the Purpose-'of wheelsintended for excessive loads, as 'in l, l 1 .y I the case of trucks,commercial vehicles, etc.-

If, a'tany time, it is desired' to fixedly connect thehub' section withthe outer wheel.

section, as in the case of a broken or 'deflated cushion, the plates 9andlO may be fiXedly connected with 'the' ring structure 2l,v by boltsinserted 'through the openings 39 for suchpurpose. Ordinarily, ofcourse', such bolts 'are not'us'ed and are' only'inserte'd in theh'oles39 in case 'of such emergency.'

' Referring to the'lubicating oil cup illustratedin Figs.v 5 and 6,itconsists of acup 40, preferably Aof glass, inclosed within a suitablecasing 4]. having sight openings 42 andan' inner lug'43 la'daptedto beinserted downwardly ina suitable recess at the inner portion ofthespokes 20,betweenianges 23 'and'23 and held'therein vby'one of thesecuring bolts 24 extending through an open#` i'n'g in said lug 43, asshown. rThe outer portion of'the oil cup is closed bya cover or cap 44provided 'with a controlling needle valve 45 admitting the' containedoil to one or more connecting ports 46 in thefcup. Each off'said ports'is connected by 'a suitable pipe 47 with a portl leading into --thelubri- V25 for supplying oil thereto. In'therotation ofthe wheel,centrifugal action ofthel contentsbf the c upwill force the body-ofcontained oil'outwardly of the cup and backwardly through pipesf'47,lmaintain-y ing good lubrication these parts,

-The advantages 'of the-invention will be readily appreciatedand itsconstruction understood.- by all those familiar 'with the use ofautomobile''wheels.'y It provides ample facility vfor'readily removingor 'replacing 'any of. the parts; itpermitsv of. the wheel being rigidlyconnected with-the hub lsiebtion in case -of any derangelnentofl thecushion member; it'avoids the necessityy of A symmetrical, strong,simple in construction,

not liable to get out of order and capable of long continued use withoutany attention or repair.

It will be understood that the wheel may be constructed or designed tosuit differenty' demands or contingencies of service and for varyingloads, and that it may be changed or varied in detail construction bythe skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be considered aswithin the scope of the following claims.

What I lclaim is: 1

l. In a vehicle wheel, the combination of a hub, a circular side platesecured to the hub having an integral annular laterally extendingcushion bearing ring, a similar side plate removably. secured to the huband said ring and in shouldered engagement therewith, a wheel having aninner spokesupporting ring inserted between said plates, and arectangular annular cushion provided with an inner circular inflatablecavity and laterally extending reinforcing rib projections havingmetallic reinforcing devices, said cushion havingconta'cting faces inengagement with said side plates', cushion bearing ringand wheelV ringrespectively, substantially as set forth.

2, In a vehicle wheel, the'combination of a hub member, a circular sideplate secured thereto having a transverse integral annular cushionbearing ring provided with ay terminal flange, a similar companion-plate having an inner annular shoulder engaging an annular portion ofthe hub member and the inner edge of said `flange, a series of securiing bolts fixedly connecting said plates together, an annular cushionmember located between said plates and bearing' on said ring, and anouter wheel having an inner ring embraced between said plates andengaging said cushion, substantially as set forth.

An annularcushion member for vehicle wheels consisting of a rubber ring,rectangular in cross section and having a circular hollow center andseries of alternating inwardly and outwardly projecting radial ridgesprovided with series of inserted reinforcing elements having oppositelyextended embedded terminals, substantially as set forth.

. 4. An annular cushion member for vehicle wheels consisting of a rubberring, rectangular in cross section, having series of inwardly andoutwardly rounded radially disposed ridges' extending transverselyacross the inner and outer peripheral faces of the ring, and series ofsimilarly shaped reinforcing wires embedded therein having terminalsextending inopposite directions into the main body portion of thecushion member, substantially as set forth. A

5. An annular cushion member for vehicle wheels consisting of a rubberring, rectangular in cross section, having series of inwardly andoutwardly rounded radially disposed ridges extending transverselyacross.

the inner and outer peripheralfaces. of the ring, and series ofsimilarly shaped reinforcing wires embedded therein `having loopedterminals extending in opposite directions into the main body portion ofthe cushion member, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

VICTOR J. HULTQUIST. Witnesses C. M. CLARKE, FREDK. STAUB.

